The Museum offers visitors a look into the cultural history of the area from the Native Americans, to the mountain men fur trappers, to the Mexican land grants and the settlers from New Mexico, to the gold seekers, the farmers, ranchers and merchants who came for land, freedom and a better way of life. Many came for the adventure.
The museum offers learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Notebooks of research on the exhibits are available and the director and staff are always willing to give guided tours. The Gift shop provides shopping for art work by local artists as well as history books of the area. During the summer month, art show featuring area artists change monthly. If you are interested in a walk about town we have a wonderful Walking Tour of the historic buildings and homes around town. The brochure can be purchased in the museum's Gift Shop.
Of special interest in the Del Norte area is the Old Spanish Trail. Between 1830 and 1848 the Trail was a major trade route running between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Los Angeles, California. Traces of the original trail can still be seen in the area.
Who would have thought that at one time, Del Norte, Colorado was home to one of the finest telescopes in the entire country! The year was 1885, and the project was the dream of the Reverend George M. Darley of the Presbyterian College of the Southwest. The Observatory was placed high on Lookout Mountain and was the largest telescope west of the Mississippi. Visit the Observatory while in Del Norte.
